Final answer:
The walls of medieval castles were covered with tapestries to keep out drafts, serve as decoration, and provide a layer of insulation against cold stone walls.
Step-by-step explanation:
The walls of medieval castles were covered with tapestries to keep out drafts. This practice was not only for decoration but also served a practical purpose. Tapestries were fabric wall-hangings that could rival paintings in detail and preciousness.
Not only were they used as a form of art to beautify the interiors of castles, but they also provided insulation against the cold stone walls, helping to maintain a more comfortable living environment within these large structures. Many significant artists, such as Raphael, Goya, and Charles le Brun, produced the designs for these elaborate pieces.
Tapestries were sometimes exchanged between kings as tokens of goodwill. They were considered so valuable that there were even royal tapestry factories, like the Gobelins in France, dedicated to creating these intricate works of art by hand with materials like wool, silk, and metal-wrapped thread.